Objectives The main objective of the PERI-HELPE study (Perception of Risk-HEaLth Professionals and Environment Study) was to describe the knowledge of perinatal health professionals about phthalates and the preventive advice they give to pregnant women about exposure to these chemicals. The secondary objective was to determine whether giving preventive advice was associated with the perception of phthalates. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in 2015 in France. One hundred and eighty-nine perinatal health professionals (obstetricians, midwives and general practitioners) replied to an online self-administered questionnaire (participation rate: 11%). Results Only 17% of health professionals felt able to provide appropriate answers to pregnant women about phthalates. Advice was given by 23% (avoid plastic kitchen cling film) to 75% (prefer homemade dishes) about eating habits, by less than 42% for the use of cosmetics and less than 25% for that of consumer products. After adjusting for covariates, the awareness that pregnant women are daily exposed to phthalates (44% of professionals) was associated with dietary advice [avoid pre-packaged food (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-4.4), prefer homemade dishes (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-5.9) and avoid plastic kitchen cling film (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0-5.6)] but not with advice about cosmetics or consumer products. The perception of phthalate exposure as a high risk (66%) was not associated with preventive advice. Conclusions for Practice Our sample size was not very large but the findings nevertheless show the lack of knowledge of perinatal health professionals about phthalates. If they are to take on a preventive role, health professionals in France need to be better informed about phthalates and more fully trained in environmental health in general.
Keywords: Environmental health; Perinatal health professionals; Phthalates; Preventive advice; Risk perception.